Verstehen (German): to understand.  1. To perceive and comprehend the nature and significance of,  to know. 2. To know thoroughly by close contact with or by long experience of the phenomenon.  3. To grasp or comprehend the meaning intended or expressed by another. 4. To know and be empathetic toward.  Weber used the term to refer to the social scientist's attempt to understand both the intention and the context of human action.